Why in News ? 

Recent research shows that antimicrobial proteins from oyster hemolymph can kill drug-resistant bacteria and enhance the effectiveness of conventional antibiotics against resistant strains. 

Oysters 

What are Oysters? 

 Oysters are invertebrates from the Ostreidae family, living in groups called colonies, beds, or reefs. They are omnivorous and covered with rough, rock-hard, oval or pear-shaped shells. 

• Habitat: Found in shallow ocean waters worldwide, oysters form colonies in beds or reefs. While they can occasionally produce pearls, they are different from pearl oysters. 
• Ecological Role 
  • Keystone Species: Oysters are crucial to their ecosystem, providing habitat for marine organisms like sea anemones and barnacles. 
  • Water Filtration: An oyster filters up to 50 gallons of water per day, removing pollutants and improving water quality. 
• Diet and Behavior: Oysters feed by filtering algae and food particles from water. They begin life as males and usually become females after a year but can change genders multiple times. 
• Role as Food: Oysters are rich in calcium, iron and protein and have been consumed by humans for thousands of years. 

Antimicrobial Resistance